Although finishing takes time and is tedious to do, it is most important if a professional-looking crochet project is to be achieved.

WEAVING IN ENDS
Thread yarn end of finished piece into a Boye^® yarn needle (product #7505 for #13; #7506 for #16) and weave through stitches along a side edge or along a row of crochet for several inches on wrong side until hidden and secure (see illus. 1).

BLOCKING
Not all crochet pieces need blocking. You will find with experience that wool yarns may need more steaming and shaping than man-made yarns. Some man-made fibers may require no blocking at all. A light steaming of the seams may be all that is needed. Always check the yarn label for specific instructions for laundering or blocking before proceeding. Do not block ribbing or raised pattern stitches.

To block, place each crocheted piece down on a padded surface with wrong side facing up or correct sides together if identical pieces are being blocked together. Use Boye rust-proof T-pins if needed to hold edges in place. Cover with a damp cloth and press lightly with steam or dry iron at moderate setting. The weight of the iron should never rest on the material. Remove cloth, allowing pieces to dry thoroughly before removing.

JOINING PIECES
There are several basic methods to use when joining seams. Whichever method you decide to use, always sew with matching yarn and keep edges even, matching rows and stitches, colors and pattern stitches.

To weave seams together, use a Boye^® yarn needle threaded with a length of yarn. Hold edges side by side with right side of each piece facing up. Pass threaded needle through first stitch of left edge and then through first stitch of right edge. Pass needle through next stitch on left edge and then through next stitch on right edge. Alternate weaving from edge to edge in this manner, carefully matching rows and stitches until completed (see illustration 2). Keep seam slightly loose and elastic for best results. This method is most commonly used since it produces a flat, almost invisible seam.

To make a back stitch seam, thread yarn length into a Boye^® yarn needle. Pin pieces with right sides together and sew with small, loose back stitches (see illustration 3). The seam should have the same stretchability as the crocheted piece itself.

To make a slip stitch seam, use a Boye^® crochet hook the same size as used in the project. Pin edges together and loosely slip stitch seams together (see illustration 4).

FRINGE
Cut strands of yarn the length specified in pattern instructions. Hold number of strands specified for one knot of fringe together and fold in half. Use a Boye^® crochet hook and pull folded end through edge to be fringed from right to wrong side (see illustration 5). Draw loose ends through folded end (see illustration 6). Pull knot up securely. Continue making knots in this manner until edge(s) is completely fringed, then trim ends evenly.